Penwell Turner Funeral Home - Shelby, Ohio

Mary Elaine Reesman

Mary Elaine Reesman, age 80, of Mansfield, died Wednesday, October 6, 2021.

Elaine was born July 24, 1941 in Armstrong County, Kittanning, PA and was a 1959 graduate of Kittanning High School. She married the love of her life, Jim Reesman, on October 17, 1959 and they celebrated 61 years of marriage together.

She was a bookkeeper for many years and also sold jewelry at home parties. Elaine was an avid crafter, specifically cross stitching, selling her creations at craft shows with her daughters.

For over 20 years, Elaine was a member of Gospel Baptist Church in Galion. A woman who loved to organize, her family unofficially titled her the “Organizing Queen” as she was always busy making sure items were in their place and labeled appropriately. Elaine enjoyed reading, collecting milk glass, puzzles, and sewing.

Elaine will be remembered for her sense of fashion, creating special experiences for her grandchildren, and having a servant’s heart.

On September 10, 2021, Elaine’s husband, Jim, preceded her in death. Their reunion in Heaven after these four short weeks was sure to be joyous. Elaine was also preceded in death by her parents, Carl William and Helen Grace (Harbison) Grafton, and her stepmother, Mary Elizabeth Grafton, as well as an infant sister, Sally Ann.

Surviving are her three daughters: Debbie (Russ) Corwin of Tucson, AZ, Vicki Howard of Mansfield, and Kristi (Jim) Hostetler of Luray, TN; 6 grandchildren: Brandon (Jennifer) Corwin, Joey Corwin, Nick (Alyssa) Corwin, Heather (Luke) Carpenter, A.J. (Kristy) Howard, and Ryan (Ally) Hostetler; several step-grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; and 2 brothers: Bill Grafton of Ford City, PA and Russ (RaeJean) Grafton of Atkins, IA.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Sunday, October 24, 2021 from 2-4 pm at Shelby Church of the Nazarene, 111 E. Whitney Avenue, Shelby. Immediately following at 4 pm will be a celebration of both Jim and Elaine’s lives; having spent so many years together, the family feels it’s only appropriate to celebrate this sweet couple together. Funeral services will be officiated by Pastor Lester Champer. Burial will be in Ontario Community Cemetery. Care for Elaine and her family is being provided by the Penwell Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, Ohio 44875.

Appropriate ways to express sympathy for those unable to attend may be done by leaving an online condolence on Elaine’s obituary at www.PenwellTurner.com or by leaving a comment on her post on the funeral home’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/PenwellFuneral.

To view Elaine and Jim’s tribute video, please follow the link provided: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/LB56XKP6RL874LKY 

Memories & Condolence

  1. Becky Byrd says:

    My heartfelt condolences to the family. Elaine just couldn’t be without Jim, I really believe that. She was a beautiful lady inside and outside. Her and Jim’s love and devotion was beautiful. God bless you all as you grieve.

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